STUART HALL has vowed to make a fighting fairy tale come true after being handed an unexpected chance at winning the IBF world bantamweight crown just before Christmas.

Stuart Hall now has a chance at the IBF world bantamweight crown [GETTY]

The 33-year-old, with 18 bouts, will challenge South African Vusi Malinga for the vacant belt, after Doncaster’s Jamie McDonnell was stripped of his title last week.

It’s a ‘Rocky’ story, I only heard of this a couple of days ago

Stuart Hall

It will be a boxing baptism at Leeds new First Direct Arena on December 21, and Hall said: “It’s a ‘Rocky’ story. I only heard of this a couple of days ago, I’m in wonderland.

“I’m deeply sorry for Jamie as he’s lost his title but I’m going to take this chance.” And Hall, who lost to McDonnell in 2011, added: “I’d love a rematch with Jamie, I’m a different man and fighter now. But first it’s Malinga.”